What counts as a reclaimable link
- Removed links. Your entry was dropped when the editor refreshed the post. See lost link.
- Links broken on your side. You moved or deleted a page and the old URL now returns a 404.
- Links changed to nofollow. Still there, but no longer passing credit.
- Mentions without a link. See unlinked mention.
Fix your own side first
If links point to URLs you changed, add permanent (301) redirects from the old addresses to the closest new page. Google follows permanent redirects and treats them as a strong signal that the target is the page's new address, so most of those links start working again without emailing anyone.
Then email the editors
For links that were removed, write to the editor: name the post, say your link used to be in it, and ask whether removing it was intentional. Offer anything that's changed since. The link reclamation template keeps it short. Recovering lost backlinks covers what to do when the answer is no.
Catching losses early
Reclamation works best while the editor remembers you, so check won links on a schedule. BacklinkGenie re-checks every link it wins each week and emails you when one is removed or switched to nofollow, so you can follow up in the same thread.
Example
Margin moved its citation guide to a new URL. It adds a 301 redirect, then emails the one blog that dropped its link during a refresh.
Putting it into practice
Where to use it: Link reclamation email template, Unlinked mention email template and Nofollow link checker. For the longer version, read how to find and recover lost backlinks.